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Friday, June 8, 2012

Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken

Oven Baked BBQ Chicken

When I moved into my boyfriend's house, I came to the realization that I collect some things that I didn't even realize that I did, like honey and BBQ sauce. At least, my saving grace is that it isn't your run-of-the mill store-bought honey and BBQ sauce. My honey are all local and artisan honeys as well as BBQ sauce that I purchased at the National Fiery Foods Show here in Albuquerque. Upon realizing this horror, I told Joe, "I hope you like BBQ sauce because we're going to be eating a lot of it." Especially because we don't have room in our cupboards for them all, and I am not getting rid of them. And I have no idea how I was able to store them all before in my small kitchen!

Last night, I made BBQ chicken that was first seared on the stove to brown the top skin, then basted and baked in the oven. I used Grumpy's Bold XX BBQ sauce that I bought at the Fiery Foods show awhile back and it was absolutely perfect. The BBQ sauce darkened and caramelized in the oven and I will use the word perfect again because it totally deserves it. It has a sweet and almost smokey flavor initially, but had a slightly spicy undertone to it that I loved. It also has a smoothness to it that I like in BBQ sauces and I was happy that I picked this sauce to use for this recipe.

I paired this with one-pot macaroni and cheese (which I will share with you within the next few days) to make a perfect meal. Plus a couple glasses of wine. :-) I was completely giddy after this meal and cannot wait to make this again. One thing I might try in the future is maybe instead of using quarters, using the chicken legs and thighs separately. Joe didn't have a problem eating it together, but it was a little more difficult for me. Though the dog and her house-guests didn't mind because they ended up getting all the meat I didn't pick off.

I'll probably be making this again in the next few weeks. Give this a try and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!

Grumpy's BBQ sauce I bought I the Fiery Foods Festival

Right out of the oven

One of the best dinners yet

The skin is the best part

Our two house-guests (on the left) enjoyed the meal too

Oven-Baked BBQ ChickenSlightly adapted from The Hungry Mouse (check out her site for an in-depth process and photo guide!)

Heat a non-stick pan on high and add a couple drops of canola oil, then let heat up for a minute or two.

When pan is hot, place chicken in pan skin-side down. My pan only fit two, so place as many pieces of chicken in the pan that fit comfortably and gives some space between the chicken. Cook the chicken on high for several minutes (it took me between 5-7 minutes, but see as you go).

Once chicken skin is browned, transfer chicken to the prepared pan. Repeat the browning process with remaining chicken.

Once all chickened is browned and in the prepared pan, baste the chicken pieces on all sides with BBQ sauce. (I added more to the top than the bottom.)

Place pan in oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, take the pan out and baste the chicken again with the BBQ sauce.

Place pan back in oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and meat thermometer reads 165 in the thickest part of the chicken.